Nickname: Snake
High School: Fayette County
HS Number: 7
Official Visits: Alabama
Host During Alabama Visit: Adam Cox
Committed: December 9, 1997
Academic Status: Qualified

Stats

HS Junior Season

Receptions

59 receptions
1476 yards
15 TDs

HS Senior Season

Receptions

72 receptions
1590 yards
14 TDs

Honors

Two-time All-Distirct
Two-time All-Area
Two-time All-State
Tuscaloosa News Sweet 16
Tuscaloosa News Preseason Sweet 16
USA Today Honorable Mention All-American
Forrest Davis Third Team All-South
Prep Star All-American

Stories

They Call Him "Snake"

The Snake is back. No, it’s not Kenny Stabler. It’s Fayette County WR Sam Collins.

"I’m not going say how I got that nickname," Collins says. "Let’s just say that I got it because of something I did when I was a little kid."

Or maybe it was because of the way he snaked his way into the state record books the past two seasons. As a junior he set the record for single-season total receiving yards with 1,476. He broke that this season with 1,570 yards.

"When I catch the ball I’m looking to make something happen," Collins says. "I turn it up and I do whatever it takes to get to the goal line."

Critics say Collins’ stats were padded against poor competition. They say that he lacks the speed and quickness to become an SEC caliber receiver. But Collins scoffs at the notion that he’s a possession receiver.

"I legitimately run in the 4.5s. I’ll go over the middle to make the tough catches. But I can make big plays too."

"Sam is a big kid with a lot of courage," Fayette County coach Waldon Tucker says. "His field awareness makes him a threat. If he catches the ball at the right spot on the field, he can make something big happen."

Like the play this season against Sulligent. He took a wide receiver screen, slipped a few tackles, angled across the field, and outraced defenders 70 yards for a TD.

Most Memorable Play

Sam Collins remembers the play like it was yesterday. It was his sophomore year against Winfield. Fayette County was backed up to it’s one-yard line.

"I ran a deep post route and was open but Luke [Tucker] couldn’t find me. I was disappointed. It would’ve been a 99-yard touchdown."

Collins returned to the huddle thinking he missed a shot at glory. But Fayette County coach Waldon Tucker called the play again.

"It was almost like a rerun," Collins recalls. "But this time Luke got the ball to me. I caught it in stride and took off. There was never a doubt once I pulled it in. It was a touchdown all the way."

It’s a Family Tradition

There’s no way that Sam Collins could’ve gone anywhere other than Alabama -- not if he wanted remain part of the Collins family.

"Everyone in my family is an Alabama fan," Sam says. "So going to another school really wasn’t an option."

Sam’s parents and his brother are Alabama graduates. His sister is currently enrolled at Alabama.

On The Recruiting Trail …

An Awesome Experience

Sam Collins has been going to Bryant-Denny Stadium all of his life. Still, he had never felt the Alabama tradition as he did during his official visit.

"They took us onto the field at Bryant-Denny. The song ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ was cranking out over the P.A. My name was flashing across the scoreboard. My heart was pumping as fast as it could. I was ready to play right then. It was an awesome experience."

Q&A

TI: Sam, do you expect to play or redshirt next season?

SC: I’ve talked to the coaches a little about that. I’m thinking that I’ll probably play.

TI: Obviously you’d rather play than redshirt.

SC: I won’t be upset if I redshirt. But I’d like to play because I believe that I could make a contribution next season.

TI: What type of offense are you expecting?

SC: It’ll be a change from the past. I’ve met with Coach Stubbs and he’s very smart about offense. I saw some film of the things he did at UNLV and BYU. It was very impressive.

TI: Alabama fans have heard the promise of change many times in the past. What makes this promise any different?

SC: I’m like everyone else. I’ve heard it all before too. This time I believe it’s going to happen because Coach Stubbs and Coach Callaway both have successful track records as offensive coordinators. I believe they will get it done.

TI: You mentioned Stubbs’ offenses at BYU and UNLV. What did you see that encouraged you?

SC: The base offense is three wide receivers and one back. But he uses a lot of variety. There will be two-back sets with three wide receivers. Sometimes we may line up four or five wide. There’s a lot of quick passes. It looks like a very good offense for a wide receiver.

TI: What about the running game?

SC: The running game won’t be neglected. Coach Stubbs told me that Shaun Alexander will get his carries.

TI: Sam, you’ve been following Alabama all of your life. They are coming off the worst season in your lifetime. Will they get it turned around?

SC: It’s going to be turned around. Coach DuBose brought in some good coaches. We had a great recruiting year. It’s got to happen!

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